About 1200 aging pine trees were removed during the recent Tinakori Hill clean up, but over the next five years, Project Crimson and the Wellington City Council will be planting around 7500 northern rata (metrosideros robusta). Northern rata are indigenous to the Wellington area and live for hundreds of years. The first 1500 baby trees will be planted this winter in an area of 1000 square metres that was cleared in the clean-up.

The first public planting takes place this Sunday 26 June from 9am to midday. Meet at the tennis court at the top of Weld Street in Wadestown, and bring gloves and a spade.

Perhaps a chance to make the Wellingtonist a carbon-neutral activity? Not to mention the joy we’ll get out of a brightly crimson Tinakori Hill during the summer months.